Lading panel with tine-receiving elements

ABSTRACT

A PANEL FOR SEPARATING OR CARRYING LADING COMPRISES SPACED ELONGATED TINE-RECEIVING ELEMENTS WHICH ARE PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN AT LEAST ONE OF THE FACES OF THE PANEL ADJACENT ITS CENTER OF GRAVITY AND WHICH EXTEND TO A POINT NEAR THE EDGE OF THE PANEL WHERE AN OPENING IS PROVIDED FOR RECEIVING THE TINES OF A FORK LIFT. THE OPENING IS ARRANGED TO RECEIVE THE FORK LIFT TINES THEN THE PANEL IS POSITONED EITHER IN A HORIZONTAL OR A VERTICAL POSITION AND, WHEN THE PANEL IS LIFTED, IT SWINGS TO AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE UPON THE TINES FOR CARRYING.   THE TINE-RECEIVING ELEMENTS HAVE AN OPEN SIDE AND, WHEN THE PANEL IS TO BE LIFTED FROM A VERTICAL POSITION, THE TIP OF THE TINE IS PASSED INTO THE ELEMENT AND THROUGH THE OPEN SIDE TO A POINT ADJACENT THE OTHER FACE OF THE PANEL. WHEN THE TINE IS VERTICALLY ELEVATED, THE TIP OF THE TINE MOVES PARALLEL AND SUBSTANTIALLY ADJACENT TO THE OTHER FACE OF THE PANEL AND THE TINERECEIVING ELEMENT IS CAMMED OUTWARDLY PROGRESSIVELY INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF TINE WHICH IS RECEIVED IN THE ELEMENT.

United States Patent [72] Inventor SamuelH.Enochian Thornton, Ill. [21] AppLNo. 809,065 [22] Filed Mar.2l,1969 [45] Patented June28,l97l [73] Assignee Unarcolndustries,lnc.

[54] LADlNG PANEL WITH TlNE-RECEIVING ELEMENTS 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 108/51 [51] lnt.Cl ..B65d 19/00 [50] Field ofSearch 108/51- 58;214/84,1l3,l52,5l4,731

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,119,112 5/1938 Mitchell 108/51X 2,432,182 12/1947 Turner 108/51X 2,702,140 2/1955 Momyer 108/51X 2,832,487 4/1958 Oster,elal.... 108/51X 3,159,115 12/1964 108/51 3,298,326 1/1967 Addison,etal 3,504,641 4/1970 Loomis Primary Examiner- Francis K. Zugel Assistant ExaminerGlenn O. Finch Attorney- Norman Lettvin ing the tines of a fork lift. The opening is arranged to receive the fork lift tines when the panel is positioned either in a horizontal or a vertical position and, when the panel is lifted, it swings to an upright attitude upon the tines for carrying. The tine-receiving elements have an open side and, when the panel is to be lifted from a vertical position, the tip of the tine is passed into the element and through the open side to a point adjacent the other face of the panel. When the tine is vertically elevated, the tip of the tine moves parallel and substantially adjacent to the other face of the panel and the tinereceiving element is cammed outwardly progressively increasing the amount of tine which is received in the element.

PATENTED JUN28 15m SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR SAMUEL H. Enocmm s M ATTYS.

1 LADING PANEL WITH TINE-RECEIVING ELEMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved lading panel and, more particularly, to a lading panel which may be lifted from either the horizontal or vertical position by the tines of the fork lift and be carried by the tines in a substantially upright attitude.

Substantially planar panels that are adapted to serve the dual purpose of a horizontal pallet and a lading separator are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,352,595.

Since panels of this type may be fairly heavy and are to be used in either of two attitudes, it is desirable that means be provided on the panel which afford picking up the panel with the tines of a fork lift truck when the panel is in either its horizontal or vertical attitude. One suggestion for such a construction is disclosed in pending application, Ser. No. 743,834, filed July 10, I968, that is assigned to the assignee of this application.

The instant application discloses an improved tine-receiving device for use with a dual-purpose panel of the type described. The improved tine-receiving device is characterized by its ability to accept a substantial segment of length of the tine of a fork lift truck whereby to increase the safety factor involved in picking up and moving a dual-purpose panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a principal aspect, the lading panel incorporating the principles of my invention comprises a panel having a pair of spaced planar facesand at least one tine-receiving element rotatably mounted in the panel for rotation between a housed and a carrying position to adapt the panel to be picked up either from a horizontal or vertical attitude and be carried in an upright attitude on the tines of a fork lift. The tine-receiving element includes an elongated channel member of substantial length. The channel member has an opening for receiving the tip of the tine and a substantially open side opposite the opening through which the tip of the tine passes when the tine is inserted into the opening in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the channel member.

These, as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become evident when considering the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the course ofthe description, the drawings will frequently be referred to, in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall plan view ofa preferred embodiment of lading panel assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention, and showing the location of the tine-receiving elements;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of one of the tine-receiving elements shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional elevation view of the panel and tine-receiving element taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2, and showing the panel both in its horizontal position and in the upright attitude when the panel is lifted and supported by the tine through the tine-receiving element; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectioned elevation view of the panel and tine-receiving element, showing the panel both in the vertical position and in the upright attitude when the panel is lifted and supported by the tine through the tine-receiving element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, a generally rectangular panel P is shown which comprises a rectangular sheet metal frame, generally 10, constructed of box or channel members, and including a pair of edge beams 12 and I4 and a pair of end beams 16 and 18 which are rigidly secured to the edge beams to form the frame. The flanges 20 of each of the beams may be somewhat recessed at 22 to receive a suitable sheet material in flush relationship therewith which forms, opposite planar faces 24 and 26 of the panel. The sheet material may be formed of plywood or the like. Pins 28, having enlarged heads, project from each of the panel corners to provide for positioning and support of the panel on notched guide tracks in a lading space in a known manner.

Two pair of spaced beams 30 and 32 extend between the edge beams 12 and 14 and are rigidly secured thereto, as by welding, for attachment ofthe tine-receiving elements 33. The sheet material of one face 24 is cut away over a portion ofthe length between each of the beams 30 and 32 to provide for the exposure of the tine-receiving elements. The aperture 34 formed thereby is generally rectangular and extends from one edge of the sheet material to a point slightly beyond the center of gravity ofthe panel.

Another pair of beam members 36, spaced to one side of each of the beams 30, may be provided to cooperate with ports 38 cut in the edge beams 12 and 14 to allow for insertion of the tines of the fork lift into the panel to carry the panel in a horizontal attitude. The ability to carry the panel in a horizontal attitude is desirable where the panel is to be also utilized as a horizontal divider or as a lading carrying pallet.

The tine-receiving elements 33 each comprise an elongate sturdy channel member, generally 40, which is open along the bottom side and which includes an elongated web portion 42 which is positioned parallel to and substantially flush with the face 24 of the panel, and a pair of elongated downwardly depending flanges 43 and 44 which extend from the edges of the web 42. The web 42 is somewhat shorter in length than the flanges and terminates in a downwardly turned lip 46 adjacent one end of the tine-receiving element. A narrow plate 48, having a width less than the width of the flanges, is also positioned adjacent one end of the tine-receiving element and is firmly af- 1 fixed to and between the flanges, as by welding. An opening 50 is thus defined in the end of the tine-receiving element by the inclined edges 52 of the flanges 43 and 44, the downturned lip 46 of the web 42, and the upper edge 54 of the plate 48.

The opening 50 is arranged to align with a shallow lead trough 56 in the edge beam 14 of the panel. The lead trough 56 is preferably formed by cutting away a portion of the edge beam 14 and welding a plate 58 across the bottom of the opening. A pair of short upstanding plates 60 are also welded across the edge beam cross section at each side of the cut away lead trough to prevent dirt and other foreign matter from entering the panel and to avoid damage due to contact with the tips of the tines.

A pivotal mounting structure is provided at the other end of the tine-receiving element and comprises a pair of L-shaped angles 62 having one leg 63 thereof extending substantially parallel to the flanges 43 and 44 and the other leg 64 extending substantially parallel to a ribbed back plate 66 which is welded at 68 across the end of the tine-receiving element between the flanges. Each of the flanges 43 and 44 includes an aperture 70 through which a pivot pin 72, which is firmly welded at 73 to leg 63 of the angle, extends into an annular boss 74 which is welded at 75 to the outer side of beams 30 and 32. The other leg 64 of each of the angles is bolted by bolts 76 to the ribbed end plate 66.

A rigid plate or channel member 78 is attached at one end to the edge beam flange 20 and extends axially beneath the tine-receiving element 33 adjacent the inside face of the other side of the panel. The other end of the plate 78 terminates adjacent the pivot axis of the element, and the bottom of the end plate 66 may be notched at 79, if necessary, to avoid interference with the end of plate 78 when the element is rotated. out of the panel. The web 42 of the tine-receiving element is maintained in a substantially flush relationship with face of the panel when the element is in the housed position, since the lower edge of plate 48 rests on an is supported by the upper face ofthe plate as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The aperture 34 in the cover sheet extends slightly beyond the inner end of the tine-receiving element to enable rotation of the element slightly beyond a point at which it is perpendicular to the panel faces and to allow access to bolts 76 to provide for the removal of the bolts and the tine-receiving element from the panel. Such access and ready removal of the tine-receiving element enables rapid repair or replacement of the tine-receiving element without the necessity of disassembling of the panel. Since the sheet covering is weakened somewhat by the aperture 34, a reinforcing member 80 may be attached between beams 30 and 32 to reinforce the cover- The operation of the panel and tine-receiving assembly of my invention will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

In FIG. 3, the operation of the panel assembly is shown where it is desired to pick up the panel from a horizontal position, as shown in solid lines, and carry the panel in a substantially upright position, as shown in the dot and dash lines. The fork lift operator inserts the tine T of his fork lift into the tinereceiving element by moving the tip of tine from the right to the left, as viewed in FIG. 3, through the lead trough 56, through the opening 50, and into the housing formed by the web 42 and the flanges 43 and 44, to a point where the tip of the tine is substantially proximate the pivot axis 72 and a substantial portion of the tine is enclosed in the tine-receiving element. The fork lift operator then vertically elevates the tine T. As the tine is lifted, the tine-receiving element 33 rotates slightly up out of the fully housed position to the dot and dash lines position shown in FIG. 3. In this position, the lip 46 and upper edge 54 of plate 48 firmly grip into the upper face and lower face of tine, respectively. As the fork lift operator continues to elevate the tine T, the panel rotates about the pivot axis 72 until it assumes the substantially upright position shown in the dot and dash lines in FIG. 3. When the weight of the panel is supported on the tines, the lip 46 and upper edge 54 of plate 48 securely grip the tine a substantial distance from the tip of the tine, the gripping force being substantially mul tiplied by the substantial moment arm which is exerted by the weight of the panel over the length of the elongated tinereceiving element. The fork lift operator may now readily move the panel without danger of the panel falling from the tine.

Referring to FIG. 4, the operation of the panel assembly is shown where it is desired to lift the panel from a vertical position, as shown in the solid lines, and carry the panel in an upright attitude. The fork lift operator inserts the tip of the tine T from right to left as viewed in FIG. 4 into the opening 50 in the tine-receiving element until the tip of the tine contacts the face of the plate on the opposite inner side of the panel. The fork lift operator then vertically elevates the tine, whereupon the tip of the tine will ride upwardly along the plate 78 parallel to the face 26. As the tine is elevated, the upper surface of the tine will also bear against the lip 46. Since the force exerted by the elevating tine is offset from the pivot axis 72, the tine-receiving element will be cammed outward and swing in a counterclockwise direction from the solid line position, through the dot and dash line intermediate position, and on to the upper dot and dash line position shown in FIG. 4. As the tine moves upwardly, an increasing amount of the tine becomes enclosed within the tine-receiving element. When the tine'receiving element reaches the upper dot and dash line position shown in FIG. 4, the lip 46 and upper edge 54 of plate 48 will firmly dig into the surfaces of the tine, as previously described. Further elevation of the tine will lift the panel free and enable movement of the panel by the forklift.

Refer-ring to FIG. 4, the pivot axis 72 (indicated by line a) is preferably slightly displaced a slight distance d from the panels center of gravity (indicated by line b) in a direction toward edge beam 12. Such displacement renders the panel slightly bottom heavy so that when the panel is lifted by the tine-receiving element, the panel will have a tendency to swing to the upright attitude.

It will be readily appreciated that, since the tine-receiving element 33 is formed of a channel member having a bottom open side, movement of the tine T and the tine-receiving element relative to each other is free and unrestricted at all times until the tine is gripped in the carrying position. Thus, the possibility of binding of the tine and tine-receiving element during such movement is obviated. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the location of the gripping structure provided by the lip 46 and upper edge 54 of plate 48 defines an opening 50 which is positioned such that the tine tip may be readily inserted into the tine-receiving element with equal facility when the panel is either in the vertical or in the horizontal position. Moreover, the position of the pivot axis 72 adjacent one end of the element is such that the weight of the element itself will normally urge the element into the housed position when the panel is either in vertical or horizontal position. Also since the web portion 42 of the element may be mounted substantially flush with the face of the panel and substantially fill the aperture in the cover sheet material, a smooth surface is provided on face 24 obviating the possibility of damage to lading which may be stacked upon or against the panel.

It should be understood that the embodiment of the invention which has been described is merely illustrative of an application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An improved tine-receiving element for a dual purpose pallet-separator panel of the type having a pair of spaced substantially planar faces and a tine-receiving element pivotally mounted on said panel for movement between a first housedposition, wherein the element does not protrude outwardly of the faces of the panel, and a second carrying-position, wherein the element extends transversely and outwardly of a face of the panel, to permit the panel to be picked up by the tines of a fork lift and moved by the fork lift in a substantially upright attitude; said improved tine-receiving element comprising, in combination: an elongated member having an outer side adapted to lie substantially in the plane of one of the planar faces of the panel when in said first position, said elongated member being pivotally mounted adjacent one end and having a tineentering opening defined adjacent the other end thereof and extending through said outer side of the member, a transverse abutment at said other end of the elongated member adjacent said opening and spaced from said outer side of the elongated member to be in position to engage the underside of a tine during a panel lifting operation, and the elongated member being open and unobstructed opposite both said tineentering opening and opposite the said outer side between said tine-entering opening and said pivotal mounting of the elongated member, so that upon entry of a tine through said opening when the panel and elongated member are upright and upon moving said tine upwardly toward a lifting position, an edge of said opening in the outer side is free to engage and slide longitudinally along the tine until said abutment plate engages the underside of the tine.

2. The improved tine-receiving element of claim 1 in combination with a panel upon which the tine-receiving element is mounted, and said elongated member being of a length that extends from substantially adjacent the center of gravity ofthe panel to substantially adjacent an edge of the panel.

3. The improved tine-receiving element of claim 1 in combination with a panel upon which the tine-receiving element is mounted, and an elongated abutment plate carried by said panel and positioned oppositely of the movable elongated member and of said tine-entering opening therein, said elongated abutment'plate providing an elongated planar side positioned to be engaged by the tip of a tine and permitting sliding movement of said tine therealong as the tine is moved upwardly after entering said opening in the outer side of the elongated member.

4. The improved tine-receiving element of claim 1 wherein the abutment plate is of a length so that a portion thereof is positioned to be engaged by the transverse abutment on the elongated member when the elongated member is in the said first position. 

